Two-thirds of the Islanders’ identity-setting fourth line have been protected for the NHL’s expansion draft while top-six forwards Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle will both be exposed.
Perhaps that’s an indication the fourth line’s third member, impending unrestricted free agent center Casey Cizikas, will have a deal before the free agent market opens on July 28.
The NHL on Sunday released each team’s protected list and which players will be available to the expansion Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.
The Islanders protected seven forwards – fourth-liners Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin along with Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau – defensemen Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock and goalie Semyon Varlamov.